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His column criticised local Imams for focusing on the "petty and mundane" and delivering "fiery sermons far removed from daily reality."

He said their pre-occupation with "mind-boggling banality" had contributed to the reason that 75 per cent of the UK consider Islam a threat and incompatible with the British way of life. And he implored them to focus on issues that matter rather than debating the virtues of different head coverings, dream interpretations or halal ringtones.

The 44-year-old management consultant told The Post: "My article has certainly caused a huge stir within the local Muslim communities.

"That so many people are talking about it is incredible. In many respects it's a job well done.

"The overwhelming majority of responses I have had have been nothing but positive.

"But, worryingly, much of the positive reaction has been tinged with expressions of concern for my personal safety.

"One told me 'Just be careful, you've stirred up a hornets nest.' Clearly I was wrong to dismiss it because a day after publication a rock was thrown through my car rear window.

"The vandalism on my car could be coincidental and I still like to think it is. But I'm deluding myself.

"It was on my driveway behind a seven foot fence so someone had to make some effort to do what they did.

"But I challenge anyone, any Muslim, to read the article and tell me one word that is not honest or just. I stand by every word. They have certainly tried to intimidate the wrong person.

"I've been trying to fathom the objection to the article," he said.

"The issue I think is just the fact some people believe that the topics I've listed as being 'petty and mundane' are actually, for them, the be all and end all.

"That's fine. That's your opinion. You can be assured that I won't come and smash your windows in for that opinion.

"The only other objection I can think of is people saying that we, as Muslims, shouldn't wash our dirty linen in public.

"I've heard that before and I understand that view completely. But one has to also surely realise that our dirty linen is now so much , and piled so high that everyone can see it anyway. Just pick up a newspaper or switch on the evening news. Putting your head in the sand won't help.

"It's about time somebody actually started cleaning it. My article is just the washing powder, its the start of the debate. "Sure we can throw in a couple of rocks if you want, but, we got to start the wash programme."

Despite his concerns Mr Siddique still says positive steps are being made in the Muslim community and refuses to let this incident detract from the good progress.

@BedmoBanjo
"@Katachua - Personally I think people just like to be in a little compartment of society. Doesn't need to be religion, politics is the same, football crews are the same, nationality is the same. Humans like fighting."
You're saying football isn't a religion?
Seriously, most of human existence has been in small nomadic groups and, later in small villages, of no more than a hundred people, all of whom would have known each other. Now we live in groups of hundereds of thousands, we try to create our own little mini-societies. Part of that is identifying those who are inside and outside its boundaries.
Fighting is one way of establishing those boundaries. Try over-crowding rats in an enclosure and watch how they behave.

@Katachua - Personally I think people just like to be in a little compartment of society. Doesn't need to be religion, politics is the same, football crews are the same, nationality is the same. Humans like fighting.

Why DOES religion attract thugs like these? It's not just Muslims -just look at Ireland to see it at work among the Christian "community".
Is it because these people feel that they are killing and injuring people "for God" and that justifies any degree of violence?

@Oddly - Don't get your point. What are you saying?
I should imagine "moderate" muslims are in a vast majority, what with all religion (especially the abrahamic ones) preaching tolerance and peace. Think the ever increasing boogey man that is "fundamental" islam is essentially limited to burnt out third world valleys we've been bombing consistently for the last 10 years and a few right wing nut jobs in the west, about the same frequency we get of nazis and fascists in Britain. Essentially ten years of terrible bigotted reportage and a habit of focusing on Islam in the press has caused western minds to revert to the old fear of "Turkish" invasion - indeed read your history and some of the rhetoric about now is exactly the same as it was before the battle of lepanto.
Another prime example would be Burmese buddhists murdering thousands of Muslims in the last month. As muslims are the underdog in this story it hasn't hit the headlines like a suicide bombing does. Odd that eh?
Essentially all Muslims, except a tiny minority, are exactly like any other religious sort, bit misguided in my opinion but generally well intentioned.
I value Mr Siddique's opinion because it highlights this fact and shows a community perfectly capable of moderating itself without intervention from non-muslims.

I find the comments left here, I suspect, by non church going, non Muslims, to be rather patronising of Mr Siddique.
How do you measure a religious moderate?
And how small a minority might Mr Siddique belong to within his own community?
Why does it "appear" that no Muslims have commented - either to agree or disagree ,with what has happened to him?

Addendum - He also thinks we should "annex" (!?) Bulgaria and Romania due to the horsemeat thing and wants violent criminals skinned and fed to wolves.
Clearly someone worth your time and attention - NOT a moron.